Game apparatus



(No Model.)

H. O. HOFFMAN & H. BLACK. GAME APPARATUS.

No. 581,587. Patented Apr. 27,1897.

lgnmuf lllll l.

III!" llIllI m: mam nuns w, mnmurno, msumcro. u c.

nrrnn ra'rns HARRY C. HOFFMAN AND HOMER BLACK, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,587, dated April 27, 1897.

Application filed January 21, 1897. Serial No. 620,091. (No model.)

To (LZZ 1071,0772 it may concern.

Be it known that we, HARRY O. HOFFMAN and HOMER BLACK, citizens of the United States, residing at Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a new and improved game apparatus; and it has for its object to provide a game which may be played by two or four players and which will be simple and yet requireconsiderable skill upon the part of the players.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of the various parts of the apparatus hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table, showing the apparatus in position for playing the game. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the table constructed for the purpose of carrying out the invention. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the edge of the table.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, l designates a rectangular table of suitable dimensions having a perfectly level top or playing-surface A flange or side 3 is formed around the sides of the table and extends above the playing-surface a suitable distance. This flange is preferably of a size just sufficient to prevent the balls with which the game is played from jumping off the table. Extending inwardly from the upper edge of this flange is a cushion-board 4, which extends entirely around the table and which is provided at its inner edge with a semicylindrical groove 5. Vithin this groove is secured a flexible cylindrical tube 6, which is air-tight and is provided with suitable valve 7, to which an air-pump may be attached. By this arrangement the cushion may be pumped to the degree of hardness necessary to give the desired rebound to the balls. This tubing is quite small, and from the lower end of the groove 5 the cushion-board is beveled inwardly and downwardly to its supportingfiange, as shown in Fig. 3.

At the center of the table a hole 8 is formed through the playing-surface of a sufficient size to permit the playing-balls to pass through it easily. A suitable pocket 9 is secured below said hole to receive the balls as they drop through it. At one end of the table and parallel therewith is arranged a series of six spots or indicating-points 10, three of which are on each side of the longitudinal center of the table, and each of them being an equal distance from those adjacent. Upon these points are placed balls of suitable size, said balls being numbered and arranged in two sets 12 and 13, the balls of each set being numbered 1, 2, and 3. The balls of one set are to be of a different color from those of the other series, or they may be suitably marked to distinguish them. Each set is to be arranged upon the points in numerical order, No. 1 ball being placed on one of the outer points, No. 2 being placed on the next adjacent point, and No. 3 being placed on the next. The balls of the other set may be arranged in the same relative positions, or the No. 1 ball of the second set may be placed upon the innermost point and the No. 3 upon the outer point, the No. 2 being placed between them. It is preferred that the No. 1 ball of the second set be placed next to the No. 3 of the first set.

At the other end of the table a suitable number of points 14, preferably two, are marked off, and a playing or one ball 15 is adapted to be placed upon either of these points. This ball must be suitably marked to distinguish it from the balls of the two sets, and it is of such size that it will readily pass through hole 8 in the table.

The game is played as follows: The balls being arranged as described, each player, when there are two, is assigned one set of balls, and he must put these balls into the pocket at the center of the table by striking them with the cue-ball. The balls must be put into the pocket in numerical order-4. 6., 1, 2, and 3. If one is put in out of order, it must be replaced in its original position on the points 10. If the cue-ball enters the pocket, it must be returned to one of the points 14: and the next player takes his shot. If a player puts his opponents ball into the pocket, it counts for his opponent. hen a player pockets a ball, he may have another shot. If a player sees his opponents ball near the ,center pocket, he may, when it is his turn, drive it away or out of position. If the cue-ball and the ball of one set are pocketed at the same time, both balls are to be placed in their original position on the indicating-points, and the next player proceeds with the game. The player Who succeeds in pocketing all the balls of his set in the regular order Wins the game.

Having thus fully described our invention, what We claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is l 1. A game apparatus comprising a rectangular horizontal playing-surface formed with a hole in the center, a vertical flange around said playing-surface, an inwardly-extending cushion secured to said flange, two sets of balls, the balls of one set being distinguishable from those of the other set, and a cue-ball, all of said balls being adapted to pass through the hole in the center of the playing-surface, substantially as described.

2. A game apparatus comprising .a rectangular horizontal playing-surface formed with a hole in the center thereof and having a series of indicating-points marked thereon near one end thereof, ayertical flange around said playing-surface, an inwardly-extending cushion secured to said flange, two sets of balls adapted to be placed upon the series of indicating-points the balls of each set being correspondingly numbered but made distinguishable, and a cue-ball, all of said balls being adapted to pass through the hole in the center of the playing-surface, substantially as described.

3. A game apparatus comprising a rectangular horizontal playing-surface formed with a hole in the center thereof and having a series of indicating-points marked thereon at one end of the playing-surface and arranged in a line parallel with the end thereof, and having an indicating-point marked upon the surface at the other end thereof, a vertical flange formed around the edge of the playing-s urface, an inwardly-extendingcushion on said flange, two sets of balls adapted to be placed upon the series of indicatingpoints, the balls of each set being correspondingly numbered but being made distinguishable, and a cue-ball adapted to be placed on the point marked at the other end of the playing-surface, all of said balls being adapted to pass through the hole in the center of the playing-surface, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signaturesin presence of two witnesses.

HARRY O. HOFFMAN. HOMER BLACK.

\Vitnesses:

J. N. PYE, SAMUEL M. SHELLY. 

